Environment Variables Return Null

Question

I'm having a problem where my program is returning null for environment variables that my installer is setting. I checked the Advanced settings of the computer, and the variable values are all correct, but inside my program the values are returning null.

I'm using the following code to store the value: string envirVar = System.Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("InstallUser");

Can anyone help?

Bryan · Answer

Does anyone have any other ideas?

Bryan · Answer

They're not just being set they are being permanently saved. I've restarted the computer and the variables remain. It only happens on some machines. On my computer it is able to get the variable just fine on others it returns null.

Mike Gold · Answer

make sure the environment variables are being permanently saved and not just Set by your installer. There is a big difference. One is in memory the other is in a file in the registry. SetX sets the variables using dos commands so the result is permanent. You can check if the env variables are being permanently saved by going to the Advanced Setting on the Control Panel --> System